Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Psalm 1:1-4
First off, about the title. No, not talking about Vanderbilt here. (Although I AM a fan, much to the chagrin of many in my family. If any of you family members need to know what chagrin means, just let me know *snicker*.)
I'm thinking rather of an actual anchor, used to hold a ship in place, regardless of the tempest around it. We have had some rather extreme situations put upon the world in the last few weeks, and it's easy to be swept up in the chaos. (But hording toilet paper?? Really?? Come on!)
The trouble in going with the chaos is that once you give in to it, it will carry you wherever it wants to, spinning round and round like a whirlpool and sucking you down, everything moving so fast there's nothing to grab hold of. We need to drop anchor, and not be tossed by the waves around us.
So what do we anchor ourselves to? Obviously, not anything of the world. By this, I mean money, power, ego, politics, absolutely nothing that is man created or man perpetuated is immune form the turmoil in our world, not now, never before, and will not be after. All these things are temporary and have no real substance. (All is vanity-Ecclesiastes) (Heaven and Earth shall pass away - Mark 13:31)
So what do we hold on to?The rest of that verse in Mark gives the answer: "but my words shall not pass away". Is this just referring to what Jesus spoke? No, not just this, because Jesus IS the living, breathing Word of God. He is eternal, He is steadfast. He is our rock and mighty fortress. If we hold on to Him, though life be whirling like a tornado around us, we can make it through. Psalm 91 has been popping up a lot lately in response to this crises, and I've gone to it often myself in times of trouble. I would suggest, when life seems out of hand to anchor down and pray this Psalm for yourself and those around you. You may be surprised at the peace there is in giving God control, and putting yourself in His hands. They are strong enough to hold you and gentle enough to love you.
As a last note, I listened to a little bit of Don Finto's message last Sunday from Belmont Fellowship. He said there is bad news and good news. The bad news is, there are bad things happening around us. The good news is, there are also GOOD things happening around us! And God lets those grow together, until He separates the wheat from the weeds. (Matthew 13:30) So hold on, there is also goodness out there.
Also- Go 'Dores!
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Peace In the Midst of the Storm
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
What a year the last couple of weeks have been! The Sunday after the tornado, my wife and I went walking around our Little League park, and watched so many children and their coaches practicing and running and throwing and hitting and laughing. One field even had adult men and women training to be umpires. Training. To. Be. Umpires. Who knew that was even a thing?
A week later, those fields are deserted. Seasons suspended. What a tornado couldn't do, a pandemic has. It's like we've been thrown into a giant Jumanji game. People working from home, or as I like to put it "Working from houses to antagonize their spouses"! Everyone knows someone or three that has either contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. And places of worship, normally a haven of peace in a time of turmoil, are suspending meetings in order to stem the spread of the virus.
What are we to do? The verses above offer some guidance, but seem to stop short of God taking the problem away. "you will have tribulation", "through the valley of the shadow", "surpasses understanding". In all of this, God is not the author of pain and suffering, but promises to be there with us through the suffering. Remember Job? It wasn't God who sent the troubles, but rather watched and waited with Job as he came through to the other side of those troubles. So we know that God is always there, ready to take our hand and lead us through as soon as we ask. (Which Job didn't by the way. Just sayin'.)
Even so, it is very easy to feel isolated and alone. How do we reach out? This is where social media, so much of a isolating presence in modern society, can actually become useful for something other than cat videos.
Pastors, do you have access to a phone with video? Live stream your worship service, however downsized it my be. Continue to share the Word and Heart of God.
Church members, does your church have a Facebook or Twitter account? Use it to connect with each other, encourage each other, pray for each other, share each other's needs and sorrows and joys. We could actually become more like a "family" of God than we ever have been, and not just spectators.
A.W Tozier once said, "Worshipers never leave church...we carry our sanctuary wherever we go." There is also a hymn in the United Methodist hymnal that goes "I am the Church. You are the Church. We are the Church together. All of God's people, all around the world, yes, we're the Church together." Now is the time to show it.
If you have been quarantined (self or otherwise) then another verse may apply.
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
In our busy life, we often go non-stop until we drop. Now is the time to rest. Now is the time to relax in Him. Take the time to read, listen to music, study, pray. Or as a friend of mine once said, "Sometimes, you have to just sit and watch the cobwebs grow."
In all things, God promises to make good come from the bad. We can't see it because we don't have the view God has. We can only see darkness and sorrow. But joy comes in the morning. Amen. Even so, come quickly. Amen.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
What a year the last couple of weeks have been! The Sunday after the tornado, my wife and I went walking around our Little League park, and watched so many children and their coaches practicing and running and throwing and hitting and laughing. One field even had adult men and women training to be umpires. Training. To. Be. Umpires. Who knew that was even a thing?
A week later, those fields are deserted. Seasons suspended. What a tornado couldn't do, a pandemic has. It's like we've been thrown into a giant Jumanji game. People working from home, or as I like to put it "Working from houses to antagonize their spouses"! Everyone knows someone or three that has either contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. And places of worship, normally a haven of peace in a time of turmoil, are suspending meetings in order to stem the spread of the virus.
What are we to do? The verses above offer some guidance, but seem to stop short of God taking the problem away. "you will have tribulation", "through the valley of the shadow", "surpasses understanding". In all of this, God is not the author of pain and suffering, but promises to be there with us through the suffering. Remember Job? It wasn't God who sent the troubles, but rather watched and waited with Job as he came through to the other side of those troubles. So we know that God is always there, ready to take our hand and lead us through as soon as we ask. (Which Job didn't by the way. Just sayin'.)
Even so, it is very easy to feel isolated and alone. How do we reach out? This is where social media, so much of a isolating presence in modern society, can actually become useful for something other than cat videos.
Pastors, do you have access to a phone with video? Live stream your worship service, however downsized it my be. Continue to share the Word and Heart of God.
Church members, does your church have a Facebook or Twitter account? Use it to connect with each other, encourage each other, pray for each other, share each other's needs and sorrows and joys. We could actually become more like a "family" of God than we ever have been, and not just spectators.
A.W Tozier once said, "Worshipers never leave church...we carry our sanctuary wherever we go." There is also a hymn in the United Methodist hymnal that goes "I am the Church. You are the Church. We are the Church together. All of God's people, all around the world, yes, we're the Church together." Now is the time to show it.
If you have been quarantined (self or otherwise) then another verse may apply.
"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
In our busy life, we often go non-stop until we drop. Now is the time to rest. Now is the time to relax in Him. Take the time to read, listen to music, study, pray. Or as a friend of mine once said, "Sometimes, you have to just sit and watch the cobwebs grow."
In all things, God promises to make good come from the bad. We can't see it because we don't have the view God has. We can only see darkness and sorrow. But joy comes in the morning. Amen. Even so, come quickly. Amen.
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